Foresight Fundamentals

Course Overview

“Foresight Fundamentals” is a transformative training program designed to equip professionals with the tools and methods needed to navigate and shape the future in an ever-changing world. Grounded in strategic foresight and systems thinking, the course helps participants anticipate challenges, identify emerging trends, and develop innovative solutions for long-term success.

The program begins with a specific challenge or theme and uses a diverse set of future-oriented tools—such as Horizon Scanning, Future Wheels, and Future Scenarios—to explore multiple possible directions. In addition, Design Thinking is integrated as an essential element, enabling participants to translate future trends into concrete, actionable strategies.

By understanding the interconnectedness of global systems and exploring possible scenarios, participants will learn to move beyond the limits of traditional planning. They will develop the skills needed to design strategies that are resilient, flexible, and aligned with a sustainable future.

Course Overview

“Foresight Fundamentals” is a transformative training program designed to equip professionals with the tools and methodologies needed to navigate and shape the future in a constantly changing world. Grounded in strategic foresightand systems thinking, the course enables participants to anticipate challenges, identify emerging trends, and develop innovative solutions for long-term success.

The program begins with a specific challenge and applies a diverse set of future-oriented tools—such as Horizon Scanning, Future Wheels, and Scenario Planning—to explore different possible directions. Elements of Design Thinking are also integrated as an essential part of the program, helping participants transform future trends into concrete, actionable strategies.

Through understanding the interconnectedness of global systems and exploring alternative futures, participants will move beyond the limits of traditional planning, gaining the skills needed to design resilient, flexible, and sustainable strategies.

Course Modules

Module 1: Framing – Introduction to Futures Thinking and Foresight

• What Futures Thinking is (and what it isn’t): understanding the strategic role of foresight.

• Group activity: Masterclass on prospective thinking.

• Framing the central challenge the team will work on.

• The four fundamentals of foresight: practice, mindset, terminology, and forecasting.

• Foresight Essentials: introduction to key concepts such as VUCA, megatrends, weak signals, and time horizons.

• How to research trends and conduct impact analysis.

• Formulating effective “futures questions.”

• Building initial forecasts: stories and narratives about the future.

• Practicing environmental scanning methods.

Module 2: Scanning & Sense-Making – Trends & Weak Signals

• Extended PESTEL analysis and Emerging Issues Analysis (STEEPV).

• Moving from foresight to insight: connecting an outside-in view of the future with the present context.

• Mapping foresight implications for different stakeholders and areas of impact.

• Key elements of forecasting: weak signals, waves of change, and drivers of change.

• Team exercise: building a foresight radar.

• Reviewing iconic foresight case studies (Shell, Arup, IKEA, etc.).

• Using the Three Horizons framework.

• Impact–uncertainty analysis and prioritization matrix.

• Defining critical scenario axes: “Axes of Uncertainty” exercise.

Module 3: Scenario Building

• Introduction to Future Scenarios and the Futures Cone.

• Understanding different types of scenarios: narrative, logical, exploratory.

• Building Alternative Futures: frameworks, examples, and use cases.

• Defining scenario parameters: key stakeholders, infrastructures, mindsets, and central “mythic” questions.

• Refining scenarios with identified signals and drivers of change.

• Exploring types of futures: possible, probable, plausible, preferable (The 4 Ps).

• Mapping the Cone of Futures.

• Scenario construction techniques: 2×2 matrices, World-Building, Backcasting.

Module 4: Vision – Bringing Scenarios to Life

• Translating scenarios into strategic directions and adaptive strategies.

• Balancing, reviewing, and refining scenarios.

• Stress-testing strategic options against different scenarios and identifying early-warning indicators.

• Storytelling exercises for developed scenarios; building narratives across the three unfolding horizons of change.

• Visualizing scenarios with a Scenario Board (timelines, personas, news headlines).

• Embedding foresight into organizational processes.

• Course retrospective & key takeaways.

• Personal action plan.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Develop and implement strategic foresight processes within their organizations.

• Apply systems thinking to analyze complex challenges and design sustainable solutions.

• Build and use future scenarios to guide informed decision-making.

• Foster a culture of innovation and resilience, adaptable to emerging trends and disruptions.

Who Should Attend?

This program is ideal for:

• Leaders, strategists, innovators, and professionals shaping the future of their organizations or teams.

• HR and L&D professionals seeking to anticipate future learning trends and build future-ready capabilities.

• Anyone involved in strategic planning, innovation management, or policy development.

“Foresight Fundamentals” will provide participants with the knowledge and skills required to stay ahead in a complex, fast-changing world.

Course Format

The program blends theory with hands-on practice, including interactive workshops, case studies, and collaborative scenario-building sessions. Participants will engage in practical exercises designed to stretch their thinking and apply foresight concepts to real-world challenges.

• Format: 4 online modules × 2.5 hours each

• Language: English

• Method: Highly interactive, with examples, practical activities, and tools directly applicable to organizational contexts.

About the Trainer

Adela Cristea is Managing Partner of Ascent Group and founder of the consultancy group. She studied Economics and Law at the West University of Timișoara and Vasile Goldiș University of Arad, and pursued further training at leading universities abroad (University of Ghent – Belgium, University of Göttingen – Germany, National Democratic Institute – USA). She holds specializations in Systems Thinking (Oxford University) and Foresight & Scenario Building (Institute for the Future).

Adela brings over 20 years of experience in management and human resources, working with multinationals such as Unilever and International Resources, as well as consultancy firms including Archimedes Consulting Group and Ascent Group.

Her expertise spans business start-ups, organizational restructuring, labor mediation, and corporate training for multinational and local companies in Romania and abroad. She also has over 15 years of experience as a university lecturer.

Since 2017, Adela has also been co-founder of the Design Thinkers Academy Eastern Europe, supporting its expansion to over 20 countries across Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and Central Asia.

Practical Information

• Program fee includes:

  • Participation in the full training program (4 modules / 10 hours total)

  • Delivery by a senior Ascent Group trainer

  • Access to training licenses, tools, and preparation materials

  • All course materials and a certificate of completion

• Discounts available:

  • 5% discount for the 2nd participant

  • 10% discount for the 3rd participant

  • An additional 10% discount for existing Ascent Group clients